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| '''Lexapro'''<sup>TM</sup> |
'''Escitalopram oxalate''' (also known as '''Lexapro'''<sup>TM</sup> and '''Cipralex'''<sup>TM</sup>) is a medication developed by the ] pharmaceutical company ], that acts as a ] or SSRI. It is typically used as an ] to treat ] associated with ] although also may be used in the treatment of ] and ]. | ||
| Escitalopram oxalate is derived from the drug ], which is made up of two mirror-image ]s, only one of which is thought to be an effective medication. Lundbeck has split the isomers apart, taken the active isomer and has licensed it as the new drug 'escitalopram'. | |||
| It is notable that escitalopram was released shortly before the ] for citalopram was due to expire. The expiration of a patent means other companies can legally produce cheaper ] versions. | |||
| Escitalopram is subject to a new patent. Critics have argued that escitalopram, and the subsequent marketing campaign to persuade mental health professionals to prescribe it, is a cynical ploy to promote sales of a virtually identical but considerably more expensive drug. | |||
| In defence of the new drug, Lundbeck have claimed that the drug has additional benefits over the older citalopram and other antidepressant drugs on the market. | |||
| == Externals links == | |||
| Lunbeck offical websites for escitalopram under their trade names Cipralex and Lexapro: | |||
| * http://www.cipralex.com | |||
| * http://www.lexapro.com | |||
| "'Radical' drug criticised as only a commercial device" article from ] paper, ]: | |||
| * http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,8150,738940,00.html | |||
| Pharmacological information and studies on escitalopram: | |||
| * http://www.biopsychiatry.com/escitalopram.html | |||
Revision as of 11:00, 10 August 2003
Escitalopram oxalate (also known as Lexapro and Cipralex) is a medication developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck, that acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. It is typically used as an antidepressant to treat depression associated with mood disorders although also may be used in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety.
Escitalopram oxalate is derived from the drug citalopram, which is made up of two mirror-image isomers, only one of which is thought to be an effective medication. Lundbeck has split the isomers apart, taken the active isomer and has licensed it as the new drug 'escitalopram'.
It is notable that escitalopram was released shortly before the patent for citalopram was due to expire. The expiration of a patent means other companies can legally produce cheaper generic versions.
Escitalopram is subject to a new patent. Critics have argued that escitalopram, and the subsequent marketing campaign to persuade mental health professionals to prescribe it, is a cynical ploy to promote sales of a virtually identical but considerably more expensive drug.
In defence of the new drug, Lundbeck have claimed that the drug has additional benefits over the older citalopram and other antidepressant drugs on the market.
Externals links
Lunbeck offical websites for escitalopram under their trade names Cipralex and Lexapro:
"'Radical' drug criticised as only a commercial device" article from UK paper, The Guardian:
Pharmacological information and studies on escitalopram: